Bush warns Europe of Islamic alliance

The Australian

George W. Bush is calling on Europe to join the US in increasing pressure on Syria and Iran to reform, as the two Middle Eastern nations tout a new strategic Islamic alliance against US and Israeli "plots".

With Tehran's alleged nuclear ambitions the new flashpoint in the volatile region, Mr Bush also warned that the US would support Israel in any military action against Iran.

At a press conference ahead of his visit to Europe next week, the US President promised to work with European leaders to produce a strategy to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear bomb.

But he gave no sign that the US would join Britain, France and Germany in its carrot-and-stick approach to Iran. US officials said the next move was up to Iran, to show it would permanently cease its uranium-enrichment program.

And in a development sure to be raised at Mr Bush's meeting with Vladimir Putin next week, Russia announced it would supply fuel to Iran for its Russian-built Bushehr nuclear plant, despite Washington's fear it could be used for a nuclear weapon. Iranian state television announced yesterday a 10-year deal would be signed next week and the first shipment of fuel would be delivered three months later.

All spent fuel is to be returned to Russia, but critics fear it could be reprocessed into bomb material.

Asked if he was worried about the prospect of an Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran to prevent it acquiring a nuclear weapon, Mr Bush avoided the question but expressed sympathy and support for Israel's concerns.

"If I was the leader of Israel, and I listened to some of the statements by the Iranian ayatollahs that regarded my security of my country, I'd be concerned about Iran having a nuclear weapon as well," he said. He added that the US "will support Israel if their security is threatened".

Mr Bush said he would lobby European leaders next week to jointly pressure for the exit of Syria's 15,000 troops in Lebanon.

"Syria is out of step with the progress being made in a greater Middle East," Mr Bush said. "Democracy is on the move. And this country isn't moving with the democratic movement."

The US has not directly blamed Syria for the bombing that killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri this week, but is highly suspicious and is awaiting the results of an investigation before announcing new measures such as extra sanctions.

Mr Bush said Syria needed to ensure supporters of Saddam Hussein did not use it as a base for the insurgency in Iraq; to stop supporting Hezbollah, which the US says is an anti-Israel terrorist group; and to remove its troops from Lebanon and allow it to hold free elections.

With tensions rising, Iran's former president Hashemi Rafsanjani said it was important to strengthen relations between Iran, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and other Islamic states.

He said the US and Israel were trying to create divisions among the countries, which he said must "stay completely vigilant vis-a-vis the US and Israeli plots".